Executives including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, fifth from left, and Atlanta Falcons team owner Arthur Blank, sixth from left, participate in the ground breaking ceremony for the new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons held on Monday, May 19, 2014, in Atlanta.ATLANTA – The hope for another Atlanta Super Bowl overshadowed Monday night’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Falcons’ new stadium.
There were Super Bowl reminders everywhere, and none were subtle. The new stadium is scheduled to open in 2017. Atlanta officials hope the Super Bowl is played in the stadium as soon as 2019.
A plane pulled a banner which read “Break Ground on Super Bowl Too.”
Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would be warmly received anytime, “especially if he wants to announce that we’re going to win the Super Bowl.”
Goodell is in town for Tuesday’s meeting of NFL owners, who are expected to vote on the site of the 2018 Super Bowl. Atlanta could be considered for next year’s vote on the 2019 game.